Well bore cleaning tool



Jan. 5, 1965 OWEN WELL. BORE CLEANING TOOL.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 18. 1961 INVENTOR LLOYD OWEN Jan. 5, 1965 L. OWEN 3,164,209

WELL BORE CLEANING TOOL Filed Aug. 18. 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 LLOY OWEN United States Patent 3,164,209 WELL BGRE CLEANING TGOL Lloyd Owen, Seminole, Ten, assignor to Hole Hog, inc, Dallas, Tex., a corporation of New Mexico Filed Aug. 18, 1961, Ser. No. 132,431 8 Claims. (Cl. 16-(107) This invention relates to well tools, and more particularly to a well bore cleaning tool which cuts away and removes undesirable deposits and accumulations from a well bore.

During the drilling and operation of oil wells and the like, the bore of the well frequently becomes clogged with sand and other objectionable matter which prevents free egress of fluid from the well.

It is an object of this invention to provide a well bore cleaning tool capable of cutting away and breaking down undesirable accumulations or deposits in a well bore and of effecting removal of such accumulations from the bore.

It is another object of this invention to provide a well bore cleaning tool which is economical to use and which requires a minimum of servicing.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a well bore cleaning tool which incorporates an improved pumping means for effecting removal by suction of sand and other solid matter loosened by a cutting device carried at the lower end of the tool.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a well bore cleaning tool including a piston-like pumping means which permits passage therethrough of fluid present in the well as the tool is being lowered into the well, and also on the downstroke of the pumping means during the suction removal of the foreign deposits.

In achievement of these objectives, there is provided in accordance with this invention a well cleaning tool including an elongated tube assembly or casing formed of a plurality of axially aligned connected tube members, having afiixed to the lower end thereof a hollow cutting bit which cuts away and breaks down deposits of sand and other accumulations in the well bore when the tube assembly is vertically reciprocated in the bore.

The hollow interior of the tube assembly provides a chamber into which sand and other accumulations from the well bore may be drawn by suction, such accumulations passing from the bore outside the tube assembly into the hollow interior of the cutting bit and thence to the hollow chamber within the tube assembly under the control of a one-way or check valve interposed between the upper end of the hollow drill bit and the hollow chamber.

A piston-like pump assembly is mounted for sliding movement within the hollow chamber to create suction for pulling sand and other accumulations into the chamber, the pump being activated by a weighted plunger which is reciprocated within the chamber by means of a cable. The reciprocable plunger has rigidly attached to it a pair of axially aligned stems which slide through axial passages in suction sleeves whose outer peripheral surfaces are in sliding and sealing contact with the inner peripheral surface of the hollow chamber. The stems carried by the plunger have a lost motion connection with the suction sleeves which permits relative movement of the stems and suction sleeves to cause fluid ports or passages carried by the stems to be open to permit passage therethrough of fluid present in the well as the cleaning tool is being lowered into the well bore, as well as on the downstroke of the plunger during reciprocatory move rectangular-shaped opening '32 in the wall thereof. A3 relatively thinmetal sleeve '34, concentrically surrounds assembly when suction is being created within the hollow chamber to draw the sand and other foreign matter into the chamber.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical elevation of a well tool in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view in vertical elevation, partiallybroken away, of the tube assembly and connected cutting bit of the well tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the plunger and pump assembly which is slidably movable within the hollow interior of the tube assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view in vertical section of the upper portion of the well tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4a is a view in vertical section of the lower portion of the well tool, the continuity with FIG. 4 being indicated by the broken line arrows;

FIG. 5 is a view in vertical section showing the relative positions of the slidable plunger and connected valve assembly relative to the suction sleeves when the plunger member is moved upwardly;

FIG. 6 is a view in horizontal section along the line 66 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is a view in horizontal section along the line 77 of FIG. 4.

Referring to these drawings, the well bore cleaning tool is generally indicated at 10 and includes an outer tube assembly or casing generally designated 12, formed of a plurality of connected tubes,-to the lowerend of which is connected a hollow cutting bit 14 which cuts away and breaks down deposits of sand, rock and other foreign matter in the well bore when the tube assembly 12 is vertically reciprocated in the well bore.

The greater part of the length of the tube assembly 12 is constituted by an elongated tube or barrel 16 which may extend, for example, for thirty feet or more in length. Tube 16 is internally threaded at its upper and lower ends as indicated at 18 and 26 in FIG. 4. Adjacent its upper end, tube 16 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposite outlet ports '17 for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

A short tube or fishing neck 22 which may be, for example, one foot long, and which is externally threaded at its upper and lower ends, has its lower end engaged with the thread 18 at the upper end of elongated tube 16. The outer diameter of the tube or fishing neck 22 is the same as that of tube 16. However, the inner diameter of tube 22 is substantially smaller than the internal diameter of tube 16, to define an annular shoulder 24 (FIG. 4) which provides a stop limiting the upward movement of the plunger which is slidably movable in tube 16, as will be explained hereinafter.

A short tube or ring 26 which is internally threaded at its lower end is in threaded engagement with the upper end of tube 22. A handle 28 (FIG. 2) may be formed integrally, with tube 26, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to facilitate handling of the well tool;

At the lower end of the tube assembly, a short tube 30 which may be one foot long, for example, is axially aligned its length, as indicated at 31, to define a shoulder or abutment which serves as a stop limiting the downward movement of the plunger assembly to be'described.

Tube 30 is also providedintermediate its height with a tube and is provided with an opening 36 which is of substantially the same size and shape as the opening 32 in tube 30 so that when outer sleeve 3 is rotated, the opening 36 in sleeve 34 may be placed in registry with opening 32 in tube 35 to permit dumping of the contents of tube 16, as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

A set screw 38 passes through a threaded opening in the lower portion of sleeve 34 and may be tightened into frictional engagement with tube 3th to maintain outer sleeve 34 either in a position in which the openings 32 and 36 are not in registry or in relative positions in which the two openings are in registry.

The drill bit 14 at the lower end of the tube assembly may be threaded or welded onto the lower end of tube 30, or may otherwise be made integral with the tube.

Bit 14 has a hollow interior and the wall thickness of the bit is tapered downwardly to define a chisel edge indicated at 40 which is effective to cut away or pulverize foreign deposits in the well bore, when the well tool is reciprocated in the well bore. A one-way check valve, in the form ofa pivoted flap 42, is hinged to the upper edge of bit 14 and permits passage of fluid and foreign matter from the hollow interior of bit 14 up into the hollow chamber of the tube 16 when the pressure beneath the flap valve 42 is sufliciently greater than that above the valve to cause upward movement of the flap valve.

A plunger and pump assembly generally indicated at 43 is positioned within the hollow interior of tube assembly 12 for reciprocatory sliding movement therein. The plunger generally indicated at 44 includes a main elongated body portion 45 of just slightly smaller diameter than the internal diameter of tube 16 to permit an easy sliding movement of plunger body portion 45 within tube 16. The plunger 44 includes a body portion 46 of reduced diameter at the upper end thereof. The plunger body portions 45 and 46 may respectively be three feet long and one foot long, for example. A threaded stern 4-3 extends from the upper end of reduced diameter portion 46 of the plunger. An internally threaded clevis 5! is in threaded engagement with the threaded stem 48 and a wire cable 52 is suitably attached to clevis 56 to permit plunger 44 to be reciprocated within the tube assembly 12.

The shoulder 24 of tube or fishing neck 22 serves as an upper stop for plunger 44 when the upper surface of plunger body portion 45 engages the shoulder 24. However, the outer diameter of reduced diameter portion 46 of plunger 42 is less than the internal diameter of tube 22 to permit movement of reduced diameter plunger portion 46 up into the hollow interior of tube 22.

An externally threaded projection 54 extends down- 7 wardly from the lower end of plunger 44: and engages an internally threaded recess at the upper end of an axiallyextending stem generally indicated at 56. Stem 56 1ncludes an upper cylindrical body portion 58 and a reduced 5 diameter lower cylindrical body portion 60, the junction between upper and lower body portions 58 and 6t defining an annular shoulder 62. Stem 56 also includes a slotted opening or port .64 extending through the entire diameter of the sternand extending axially both above and below the annular shoulder 62.

'The reduced diameter lower body portion 60 of stem 56 extends through-and is. axially slidable relative to a centralfaxial opening'in an upper suction sleeve or ring 66 whose outer periphery is in sliding and sealing engagement with the internal wall surface of'tu'be 16. Sleeve 66 is preferably made of brass. The central-axial opening of upper suction sleeve 66 through which stern body portion 60 is movable is bounded by a radially'instanding annular shoulder 68 of sleeve 66. The internal diameter of the central opening in sleeve 66 through which stem body portion 60 is slidably movable is less than the outer diameter of upper body portion '58 of stem 56, so that shoulder '62 servesas an abutment which limits the move- 'ment of stem 56 through slceve66. The sleeve 66 has 7 a hollow; interior bounded by an upper-wall surface "7t? fit lying above the annular shoulder 68 and which tapers downwardly radially inwardly to the annular shoulder 68; the hollow interior of upper suction sleeve 66 also is bounded by a lower wall surface 72 lying below the annular shoulder 68 and tapering radially inwardly in an upward direction to meet the annular shoulder 68 of sleeve 66.

The lower end of stem 56 has an externally threaded projection which engages an internally threaded recess at the upper end of a second and lower stem 74- which is similar to the stem 56 just described and which includes an upper body portion 76 saving the same outer diameter as the upper body portion of stem 56, and a reduced diameter lower body portion 73, the junction between the stem portions 76 and 78 defining a shoulder 8 Also, the junction between lower body portion 60 of stem 56 and upper body portion 76 of stem 74- defines a shoulder 77 which limits the upward movement of the stems 56 and 74 relative to suction sleeves 66 and 82 since the outer diameter of shoulder 77 is greater than the internal diameter of the radially instanding annular shoulder 68 of sleeve 66.

Stem id includes a slotted opening or port 81, similar to the port as of stem 56, which extends through the entire diameter of stem 74 and both above and below the annular shoulder 88.

The reduced diameter portion "73 of stem 74 is slidably movable through a central axial opening of a lower suction sleeve 82 which is similar to the upper suction sleeve 66 previously described, tie outer peripheral surface of lower suction sleeve 62 also being in sliding and sealing engagement with the inner surface of tube 16. The cenral axial opening of sleeve 82 is bounded by a radially instanding annular shoulder 84. The internal diameter of the central opening in sleeve 82 through which stem body portion 78 is slidably movable is less than the outer diameter of upper body portion 76 of the stem 74, so that shoulder 8% serves as an abutment which limits the movement of lower stem 74 through lower sleeve 82. The sleeve 32 has a hollow interior and includes an upper wall portion 86 lying above annular shoulder 84, and tapering radially inwardly in a downward direction to meet the upper surface of annular shoulder 84, and a lower wall portion 33 which tapers radially inwardly in an upward direction to meet the under surface of annular shoulder 84.

An externally threaded projection 8-9 extends from the lower end of stem 74 and. a stop 9% is in threaded engagement therewith. Since the outer diameter of stop 96 is greater than the outer diameter of reduced diameter portion 73 of stem '74 to which stop 9% is attached. a shoulder 1 is formed by the upper surface of stop 5% between the outer periphery of stop 94 and the outer periphery of stem portion 78. Shoulder 91 limits the upward movement of stem portion F8 through the opening bounded by radially instanding shoulder 84 of lower sleeve 82.

Description of Operation In using the well bore cleaning tool hereinbefore described to remove an accumulation of sand or other foreign matter which is clogging the well bore, the entire well tool id is lowered into the well bore by means of cable 52. While the tool is being lowered into the well bore, the plunger and pump assembly 4-5 is drawn upwardly to the highest level to which it can move within the outer tube assembly or casing 2. with the upper surface of large diameter body portion 45 of plunger 44 abutting the under surface of shoulder 24 of tube or fishing neck 22, and with reduced diameter portion d6 of plunger dd extending upwardly into the reduced diameter bore of tube 22,. As the well tool id is being lowered into the well bore by means of cable 52, there is no relative movement between the outer tube assembly or casing 12 and the plunger and pump assembly 43.

As the well tool it is being lowered into the well bore, any liquid or fluid in the well bore which asses into the lower end of hollow drill bit 14 passes upwardly through the one-way flap valve 42 into the interior of the hollow chamber. defined by the tubes 31) and 16. The pressure of such fluid in the hollow chamber forces the lower suction sleeve 82 and the upper suction sleeve 66 upwardly relative to the lower and upper stems '74 and 56 to the position shown in FIG. 4 in which the radially instanding annular shoulder 8d of lower suction sleeve 82 abuts the shoulder 88 of lower stem 74 and the radially instanding annular shoulder 68 of upper suction sleeve 66 abuts the annular shoulder 62 of upper stem 56. In the position of the slidable suction sleeves 66 and 32; relative to the stems 56 and '74 just described, the slotted openings or ports 64 and 31 of the upper and lower stems d and 82 are in a position in which the port of each stem lies both above and below the radially instanding shoulder of its associated suction sleeve. This permits liquid or fluid in the hollow chamber to pass upwardly through the re spective ports 64 and 81 and into the space above the uppermost suction sleeve 86. The fluid or liquid then passes through the clearance between the plunger portions 45 and 46 and the internal diameter of tube 16, and

thence outwardly through the outlet ports 17 at the upper end of tube 16, The relationship of the slidable suction sleeves 66, S2, stems 56, 74, and ports 64, 81, just described permits a free upward passage of fluid through the hollow chamber bounded by tube 16 to the outlet ports 17 as the well tool It is being lowered into the well bore.

If the well tool encounters an obstruction such as a deposit of sand or other foreign matter as it is being lowered into the well bore, the well tool may be reciprocated vertically upwardly and downwardly when it reaches such obstruction by means of cable 52 to cause the chisel edge 49 of the drill bit 14 to cut away and break down the undesirable accumulation.

After the deposit or accumulation has been pulverized by the reciprocatory movement of the drill bit 14 as just described, and assuming that the accumulation or deposit provides a sufiicient base'or foundation on which the lower end of the drill bit 14 may rest, or that the tool 19 is resting on the bottom of the well bore, the plunger and pump assembly 43 is then reciprocated'within the hollow chamber bounded by tube 16. The reduced diameter bore portion 31 of tube 39 serves as a stop which limits the downward movement of the plunger and pump assembly 43.

On the downward stroke of the plunger 44 and the,

attached stems 56 and 74 and suction sleeves 66 and 82, the stems and suction sleeves are positioned relative to each other as shown in the view of PEG. 4, in which the annular shoulders of the respective stems abut the annular shoulders bounding thecentral opening of the respective suction sleeves; In this relative position of the stems 5s and 74 and the suction sleeves as and 82., fluid inside tubes 38 and 16 may pass through the ports 6 and 81' of the stems 56 and 74- and into the space abovef upper suction sleeve 66, from whence it passes through the clearance between plunger portions 45 and 46 and outwardly through ports 17 back into the well bore. Any sand-or other foreign matter drawn into the hollow chamber of tubes 3% and 16 on previous suction strokes of the suction sleeves es and 82 remains in the hollow chamber until removed through aligned openings 32 and 36.

On the up stroke of the plunger 45, the upper and lower stems 56 and 74 assume the position shown in FIG. 5 relative to the upper and lower suction sleeves as and 82, respectively, in which the upper end of the large diameter portion 76 of lower stem '74 abuts the under surface of radially instanding annular shoulder 68 of upper suction sleeve on, and the upper end of stop 99 abuts the under surface ofradially instanding annular shoulder 84 of lower suction sleeve 82. In the position standing annular shoulders respectively positioned above 7 of the valve stems 56 and '74 relative to the suction sleeves 66 and 82 just described, the ports 64 and 81 of the upper and lower stems 56 and 74 are each respectively positioned entirely on one side of their corresponding suction sleeve, so that no liquid or fluid can pass through the ports 64 and 81. Also, the suction sleeves 66 and 32 are in sliding and sealing relation with the interior wall surface of tube 16. Hence, with the stems 56, 74, the suction sleeves 66, 82, and the valve ports 64, 81, in the position shown in FIG. 5 corresponding to the upward stroke of the plunger 45, suction is created on the upward movement of the plunger 45 to draw the pulverized deposits or foreign material which has been broken up by drill bit 14 upwardly into the hollow chamber bounded by tubes 16 and 3!), the pivoted one-way flap valve 42 moving upwardly on the suction stroke to permit the movement of the pulverized deposits into the hollow chamber as justdescribed. The weight of the materials in the chamber causes the flap valve 42 to close, preventing a reverse or downward flow of the materials from the hollow chamber. The plunger and pump assembly may be reciprocated back and forth a number of times in succession, with each upward stroke of the plunger producing a suction as just described to draw more of the deposits into the hollow chamber. is felt that all of the deposits have been drawn into the hollow chamber by the suction as just described, or the hollow chamber is full, the entire tool ill may then be withdrawn from the well bore by causing the cable 52 to draw the plunger portion :5 up into abutment with the shoulder 24 of fishing neck or tube 22. After the tool llli has been removed from the well bore, set screw 38 may be loosened and the tubular sleeve 34 may then be rotated relative to tube 3i1to'align the openings 32 and 36. The accumulated debris and foreign matter trapped within the hollow chamber may then be emptied out of the chamber through the aligned openings 32 and 36.

It can be seen from the foregoing that there is'provided in accordance with this invention an improved well bore'cleaning tool which has great utility in cutting away and removing undesirable deposits and accumulations from a well bore. The well bore cleaning tool hereinbeforedescribed is economical to use and requires a minimum of servicing. cleaning-tool incorporates an improved pumping means for effecting removal of sand and other forei'gnmatter loosened by the drill bit mounted at the lower end of the outer tube assembly. The well tool has the further advantage that the valve elements of the pump assembly are so related to each other that fluid in the well bore can pass through the well tool as .it is being lowered into the well. I

, While there has'been shown and described a particular embodiment of the invention it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the inventionand, therefore, it is aimed to cover all suchchanges and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A well bore cleaning tool comprising'an elongated tube terminating at its lower end in a hollow bit and providing a cylindrical chamber above the'bit, a check valve mounted between the bit and the chamber for passing material from the bit into the chamber and holding material in the chamber, suction means in the chamber comprising a sleeve slidable in sealing contact with the inner wall of the chamber and having a radially instanding annular shoulder, stem means axially slidable in the sleeve and having axially spaced upper and lower radially outandbelow the annular shoulder of said sleeve'and limiting; the downward ahd upward movement of'said stem means relative to said sleeve, a fluid port in'said stem means, said tluidport being located in said stem means When it Furthermore, the well bore a 7 to provide a fluid passage through said sleeve when said upper annular shoulder of said stern means engages said annular shoulder of said sleeve, said stem means preventing fluid flow through said sleeve when said lower annular shoulder of said stem means engages said annular shoulder of said sleeve, abutment means forming parts of said elongated tube and positioned adjacent the upper and lower ends of said tube for respectively limiting the upward and downward reciprocatory movements of said sleeve and stem means, and means connected to said stem means to receive a suspension cable for reciprocating said stem means and said sleeve in said elongated tube and for lowering and raising said tool in the well.

2. A well bore cleaning tool comprising an elongated tube terminating at its lower end in a hollow bit and pro viding a cylindrical chamber above the bit, a check valve mounted between the bit and the chamber for passing mate-rial from the bit into the chamber and holding material inthe chamber, suction means in the chamber comprisinga sleeve slidable in sealing contact with the inner wall of the chamber and having a radially instanding annular shoulder, stern means axially slidable in the sleeve and having axially spaced upper and lower radimly outstanding annular shoulders respectively positioned above and below the annular shoulder of said sleeve and limiting. thedownward and upward movement of said [stem means relative to said sleeve, a fluid port in said stem means, said fluid port being located in said stern means to provide a fluid passage through said sleeve when said upper annular shoulder of said stem meansengages said annular shoulder of said sleeve, said stem means preventing fluid flow through said sleeve when said lower annular shoulder" of said stern means engages said annular shoulderof said sleeve, a weighted plunger slidably movable in'said elongated tube above said stem means 1 and suction sleeve and connected at its lower end to said stern meansito impart movement'thereto, abutment mews forming parts of said elongated tube and positionedadjacent the upper and lower ends of said tube for respectively limiting the upward and downward reoiprocatory ;mo vements of saidplunger and connected stem means,

and, meanstfor connectinga suspension cable to said 5 weighted plungerifor reciprocating said plunger, said stern means, and said suction sleeve in said elongated tube V I and for lowering and raising said tool in the well.

3.- A well bore'clean-ing tool as defined in claim 2 including an opening in the wall of said elongated tube adjacent the lower end'tnereof, a sleeve concentric with and tube terminating at its lower end in a hollow bit andproviding lacylindrical chamber above the bit, a checlr'valve mounted between the bit and the chamber for passing materialfrorn the. bit into the chamber and holding material in the chamber, suction means in the chamber comprising asleeve slidable in scaling contact with the inner wall of "the chamber and-having 'aradially instanding annular shoulder, stem meansflaxially slidable in the sleeve and having axially spaced upper and lower radially outstanding annular shoulders respectively positioned above and below the annular shoulder of said sleeve and limiting the downward and upward movement of said stem means relative to said sleeve, 21 fluid port in said stem means extending axially above and below said upper radially outtstanding annular shoulder ofwsaid stem means, said fluid port providing alfluid passage through said sleeve when said upper lannular'shoulder of saidstem means engages said annular shoulder of said sleeve, said stern means preventing fluid flow through said sleeve when said lower annular shoulder of said stem means engages said annular shoulder of said sleeve, abutment means forming parts of said elongated tube and positioned adjacent the upper and lower ends of said tube for respectively limiting the upward and downward reciprocatory movements of said sleeve and stem means, and means connected to said stem means to receive a suspension cable for reciprocating said stem means and said sleeve in said elongated tube and for lowering and raising said tool in the well.

5. A well bore cleaning tool comprising an elongated tube terminating at its lower end in a hollow bit and providing a cylindrical chamber above the bit, a check valve mounted between the bit and the chamber for passing material from the bit into the chamber and holding material in the chamber, suction means in the chamber comprising upper and lower sleeves axially spaced from each other and slidably movable in sealing contact with the inner wall of the chamber, each of said sleeves having a radially instandin-g annular shoulder, stem means axially slidable in said sleeves including an upper stern and a lower stern connected together and respectively slidably movable in said upper and lower sleeves, each of said stems having a radially outstanding upper annular shoulder lying above the annular shoulder of its corresponding sleeve, a fluid port in each of said upper and lower stem-s, the fluid port of each stem extending axially above and below said radially outstanding upper annular shoulder of each respective stem, each fluid port providing a fluid passage through its corresponding sleeve when said upper annular shoulder of each stem engages said annular shoulder of its corresponding sleeve, said stern means including a separate radially outstanding shoulder lying below and engageable with the annular shoulder of each or said sleeves to limit upward movement of said stems relative to said sleeves, said upper and lower stems respectively preventing fluid flow through said upper and lower sleeves when said upper and lower stems are at the limit of their upward movement relative to their corresponding sleeves, abutment means forming parts of said elongated tube and positioned adjacent the upper and lower ends of said tube for respectively limiting the upward and downward reciprocatory movements of said sleeve and stem means, and means connected to said stem means to receive a suspension cable for reciprocating said stern means and said sleeves in said elongated tube and for lowering and raising said tool in the well.

6. A well bore cleaning tool comprising an elongated [tube terminating at its lower end in a hollow bit and pro- 'vidinga cylindrical chamber above the bit, a check valve mounted between the bit and the chamber for passing material from the bit into the chamber and holding material in the chamber, suction means in the chamber comprising upper and lower sleeves axially spaced from each other and slidably movable in seal-ing'contact with the inner wall of the chamber, each of said sleeves having a radially instanding annular shoulder, stem means axially slidable in said sleeves including an upper stern and a lower stern connected together and respectively slidably movable in said upper and lower sleeves, each of said stems having a radially outstanding upper annular shoulder lying above the annular shoulder of its corresponding sleeve, a fluid port in each of said upper and lower stems, the fluid port of each stern extending axially above and below said radilly outstanding upper annular shoulder of each respective stern, each fluid port providing a fluid passage through its corresponding sleeve when said upper annular shoulder of each stem engages said annular shoulder of its corresponding sleeve, a radially outstanding shoulder at the junction of said upper and lower stems and lying below and engageable with said annular shoulder of said upper sleeve to limit upward movement of said upper stem relative to said upper sleeve, a stop member at the lower end of said lower stem and engageable with said annular shoulder of said lower sleeve to limit upward movement of said lower stem relative to said lower sleeve, said upper and lower stems respectively preventing fluid flow through said upper and lower sleeves said upper and lower stems are at the limit of their upward movement relative to their corresponding sleeves, abutment means forming parts of said elongated tube and positioned adjacent the upper and lower ends of said tube for respectively limiting the upward and downward reciprocatory movements of said sleeve and stem means, and means connected to said stem means to receive a suspension cable for reciprocating said stem means and said sleeves in said elongated tube and for lowering and raising said tool in the well.

7. A well bore cleaning tool comprising an elongated tube terminating at its lower end in a hollow bit and providing a cylindrical chamber above the bit, a check valve mounted between the bit and the chamber for passing material from the bit into the chamber and holding material in the chamber, suction means in the chamber comprising a sleeve slidable in sealing contact with the inner wall of the chamber and having a radially instanding annular shoulder, stem means axially slidable in the sleeve and having axially spaced upper and lower radially outstanding annular shoulders respectively positioned above and below the annular shoulder of said sleeve and limiting the downward and upward movement of said stem means relative to said sleeve, a fluid port in said stem means, said fluid port being located in said stem means to provide a fluid passage through said sleeve when said upper annular shoulder of said stem means engages said annular shoulder of said sleeve, said stem mean-s preventing fluid flow through said sleeve when said lower annular shoulder of said stem means engages said annular shoulder of said sleeve, spaced abutment means forming parts of said elongated tube and positioned adjacent the upper and lower ends of said tube for respectively limiting the upward and downward reciprocatory movement of said sleeve and stem means, means connected to said stem means including a connector to receive a suspension cable for reciprocating said stem means and said sleeve in said elongated tube and for lowering and raising said tool in the well, and a suspension cable secured to said connector.

8. A well bore cleaning tool comprising an elongated tube terminating at its lower end in a hollow :bit and pr viding a cylindrical chamber above the bit, a check valve mounted between the bit and the chamber for passing material from the bit into the chamber and holding material it in the chamber, suction means in the chamber comprising upper and lower sleeves axially spaced from each other and slidably movable in sealing contact with the inner wall of the chamber, each of said sleeve-s having a radially instanding annular shoulder, stem means axial-lyslidable in said sleeves including an upper stem and a lower stem connected together and respectively slidably movable in said upper and lower sleeves, each of said stems having a radially outstanding upper annular shoulder lying above the annular shoulder of its corresponding sleeve, a fluid port in each of said upper and lower stems, the fluid port of each stern extending axially above and below the radially outstanding upper annular shoulder of its respective stem, each fluid port providinga fluid passage between the opposite, axial ends of each sleeve when said upper annular shoulder of each stem engages said annular shoulder of its corresponding sleeve, each stern means including a separate radially outstanding shoulder lying below and engageable with the annular shoulder of its corresponding sleeve to limit upward movement of said stems relative to said sleeves, said upper and lower stems respectively preventing fiuid :flow through said upper and lower sleeves when said upper and lower stems are at the limit of their upward movement relative to their corresponding sleeves, spaced abutment means forming parts of said elongated tube and positioned adjacent the upper and lower ends of said tube for respectively limiting the upward and downward reciprocatory movements of said sleeve and stem means, means connected to said stem means including a connector to receive a suspension cable for reciprocating said stern means and said sleeve in said elongated tube and for lowering and raising said tool in the well, and a suspension cable secured to said connector.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,054,767 Flury Sept. 15, 1936 2,217,147 Vesely Oct. 8, 1940 2,362,403 Reynolds Nov. 7, 1944 2,649,917 Simmons Aug. 25, 1953 2,785,756 Reynolds Mar. 19, 1957 3,003,562 Yates Oct. 10, 1961 

1. A WELL BORE CLEANING TOOL COMPRISING AN ELONGATED TUBE TERMINATING AT ITS LOWER END IN A HOLLOW BIT AND PROVIDING A CYLINDRICAL CHAMBER ABOVE THE BIT, A CHECK VALVE MOUNTED BETWEEN THE BIT AND THE CHAMBER FOR PASSING MATERIAL FROM THE BIT INTO THE CHAMBER AND HOLDING MATERIAL IN THE CHAMBER, SUCTION MEANS IN THE CHAMBER COMPRISING A SLEEVE SLIDABLE IN SEALING CONTACT WITH THE INNER WALL OF THE CHAMBER AND HAVING A RADIALLY INSTANDING ANNULAR SHOULDER, STEM MEANS AXIALLY SLIDABLE IN THE SLEEVE AND HAVING AXIALLY SPACED UPPER AND LOWER RADIALLY OUTSTANDING ANNULAR SHOULDERS RESPECTIVELY POSITIONED ABOVE AND BELOW THE ANNULAR SHOULDER OF SAID SLEEVE AND LIMITING THE DOWNWARD AND UPWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID STEM MEANS RELATIVE TO SAID SLEEVE, A FLUID PORT IN SAID STEM MEANS, SAID FLUID PORT BEING LOCATED IN SAID STEM MEANS TO PROVIDE A FLUID PASSAGE THROUGH SAID SLEEVE WHEN SAID UPPER ANNULAR SHOULDER OF SAID STEM MEANS ENGAGES SAID ANNULAR SHOULDER OF SAID SLEEVE, SAID STEM MEANS PREVENTING FLUID FLOW THROUGH SAID SLEEVE WHEN SAID LOWER ANNULAR SHOULDER OF SAID STEM MEANS ENGAGES SAID ANNULAR SHOULDER OF SAID SLEEVE, ABUTMENT MEANS FORMING PARTS OF SAID ELONGATED TUBE AND POSITIONED ADJACENT THE UPPER AND LOWER ENDS OF SAID TUBE FOR RESPECTIVELY LIMITING THE UPWARD AND DOWNWARD RECIPROCATORY MOVEMENTS OF SAID SLEEVE AND STEM MEANS, AND MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID STEM MEANS TO RECEIVE A SUSPENSION CABLE FOR RECIPROCATING SAID STEM MEANS AND SAID SLEEVE IN SAID ELONGATED TUBE AND FOR LOWERING AND RAISING SAID TOOL IN THE WELL. 